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(No Model.)

R. BUSTEED.

Step for Locomotives; No. 230,739. Patented Aug. 3,1880,

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M I QM 2 6Q ETERS. PHOTOLITHCIQRFFHER WASHINGTON D C NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD BUSTEED, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

STEP FOR LOCOM OTIVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 230,739, dated August 3, 1880.

Application filed June 24, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD BUsTEED, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in LifeSteps for Locomotives; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to life-steps for locomotive-engines; and it consists in the improved features of construction hereinafter fully described, and particularly' pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a view,in perspective, of the cowcatcher of a locomotive with my improvement attached. Fig. 2 is a "iew, in perspective, of the step detached. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan of the step; and Fig. at is a detail view of the ratchet-nut, key, and stop.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the cow-catcher, to the lower bars, B, of which the life-step O is secured by arms D D, which are clamped to said lower bars, B, by bolts E, provided with ratchet-nuts F and washers G. The arms D 1) pass between the inclined bars H of the cow-catcher, as shown, and the bolts E pass behind the lower bars, B. By this clamping arrangement the steps may be adjusted along the bars B.

The steps are roughened upon their upper faces to insure a foot-hold for the occupant.

Between the pilots I are placed fastenings J, by which a cable or bar, K, is held to supply a hand-hold for the occupant.

In many cities of the country there are, near the railroad-depots, complete net-works of railroad-tracks, on which engines are constantly passing and repassing, and it frequently happens that persons passing over these tracks, either from thoughtlessness or bewilderment, become placed in such position as to seem to be unableto get out of the way of the moving engine, and are either killed or maimed for life because of this inability.

By the employment of these life-steps a person imperiled in the manner above described may easily, at almost the last moment, jump upon the life-step and grasp the cable bet ween the pilots, and thus save himself until the engine can be stopped and his release be effected. Besides, the steps afford a firm footing and the cable a firm hand'hold forthe engineer or fireman who may descend to them for the purpose of removing some obstruction which he may have seen at a distance, or to grasp a child who may be in the way, or a person lying on the track and who may not have heeded his signals.

The ratchet-nuts F are locked in place by pivoted pins or pawls 0 upon the arms D. Stops P are provided on the arms D to prevent the pawls 0 from releasing the nuts when the latter are jarred by the moving train.

Ordinary jam-nuts may be used in lieu of the ratchet-nuts and pawls; but I prefer the latter.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As a new article of manufacture, a lifestep adapted to be secured to the cow-catcher of a locomotive, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The combination of the step 0, provided with the arms D D, bolts E, ratchet-nuts F, pawls 0, stops P, and washers G with the bars B of the cow-catcher A, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In combination with the cow-catcher A, provided with the life-step G, the cable K, secured between the pilots by the fastenings J, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination of the arm D, provided with the pawl 0 and stop P, with the arm D and the bolt E and ratchet-nut F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I- affix my signature in presence of two-witnesses.

RICHARD BUSTEED.

Witnesses ELIJAH ESTES, ELLEN MATHIS- 

